Due to the current economic climate, the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) must reduce scholarships in the 2009-10 academic year. The scholarship reductions will begin in Fall 2009, and will apply to all Scholars except those who meet all three of the requirements below:
- Graduated from Abraham Lincoln, Montbello and South High Schools as part of the Class of 2007; and
- Participated in DSF’s pilot program; and
- Received a DSF Scholarship during the 2007-08 and/or 2008-09 academic years.
The scholarship reductions for all other Scholars were limited to 17 to 18 percent.
DSF has launched an intensive effort to coordinate its staff and volunteers to support students in pursuing even more outside scholarships and grants. For example, DSF will hold 30 financial aid workshops through March to help students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and to secure as much financial aid as possible. The financial aid workshop schedule is available here.
DSF offers need-based scholarships to qualifying graduates of Denver Public Schools. The scholarship can be used at 39 Colorado postsecondary institutions (PSIs), including technical and community colleges, state colleges and universities, as well as private institutions. The scholarship, which can be as much as $5,000 a year, is renewable for up to five years depending on the type of college/PSI a student attends. For more information, please see the DSF Scholarship program policy.
To be eligible for a DSF Scholarship for the 2009-2010 school year, students must:
- Be enrolled in a participating Denver Public High School on or before October 1st of their senior year
- Graduate from a participating Denver Public High School
- Be eligible for Federal Student Financial Aid
- Apply to DSF by April 1, 2009 and meet all application deadlines and requirements described in the checklist "How to Become a DSF Scholar" – (Checklist for New Applicants or Checklist for Renewal Applicants).
- Enroll at least half-time at a DSF-eligible PSI within one year of high school graduation
- Complete all financial aid requirements for their college/PSI
A student’s DSF Scholarship award amount depends on the type of college/PSI the student attends and his or her Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is an indicator of financial need determined by completing the FAFSA. The amounts shown below are for students enrolled full-time during the entire traditional school year (fall and spring semesters). These amounts will be prorated for students enrolled less than full-time.
Starting in Fall 2009, scholarship amounts are as follows:
DSF Scholarship Award Amounts for the 2009-10 Academic Year |
Type of Post-Secondary Institution | EFC=
0 - Pell Limit* |
EFC=
Pell Limit - 2x Pell Limit | EFC =
Above 2x Pell Limit |
Technical College | $1,650 | $2,050 | Students with an EFC of more than twice the Pell Limit do not qualify for the need-based DSF Scholarship but may still receive retention services |
Community College | $2,050 | $2,500 |
State College | $2,900 | $3,300 |
State University | $4,150 | $5,000 |
Private | $4,150 | $5,000 |
* The Pell Limit refers to the maximum EFC that qualifies for the need-based federal Pell grant. For the 2008-2009 academic year, the Pell Limit is $4041. Each year the Pell Limit may change at the discretion of the federal government.
Click here to go to the DSF Scholarship Application Page